Container for retention of shrink wrap

ABSTRACT

A container adapted for holding shrink wrap in place without the use of adhesives. The shrink wrap is held in place by at least one protuberance on the sides or bottom of the container. The protuberance has a particular design in relationship to the sides or bottom of the container that prevents slippage of the shrink wrap. Also disclosed is a container system for consumable products, comprising the aforementioned container, at least one lid, and a shrink wrap.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 61/403599 filed Sep. 17, 2010, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by this reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to containers and particularlyto containers designed to retain in place a shrink wrap positioned onthe body of the container.

2. Description of Related Art

Many consumable items are sold in convenient containers that willenhance the shelf life of the product and allow for space-efficientstorage and reuse of the container if the entire item is not consumed.For example, US20080187631 shows a stackable pet food container madefrom a transparent thermoformed plastic. The container has a peelablelid for hermetic sealing that can be used to reseal the container. Afterthe container is filled with a food, it is retorted to sterilize theproduct and then a shrink wrap is positioned over the sides of thecontainer. Heat is applied to shrink the shrink wrap to the container.Adhesive is used to hold the shrink wrap in place on the container.

However, due to the design of many such containers, e.g., containershaving tapered sides and/or bottom rounded corners, shrink wraps oftenfail to stay in place on the container and an adhesive must be appliedto the shrink wrap to firmly hold it in place. The use and applicationof an adhesive is cumbersome and is the source of problems in productionof the container. There is, therefore, a need for new containers andmethods for holding shrink wrap in place on containers without the useof adhesives.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide containers adapted to holda shrink wrap in place without the use of adhesives.

It is another object of the invention to provide container systemshaving containers adapted to hold a shrink wrap in place without the useof adhesives.

It is a further object of the invention to provide products based uponcontainers adapted to hold a shrink wrap in place without the use ofadhesives and one or more materials contained in the containers.

It is another object of the invention to provide methods for makingcontainers adapted to hold a shrink wrap in place without the use ofadhesives.

These and other objects of the invention are achieved using novelcontainers and container systems having incorporated into the containerone or more protuberances that function to anchor a shrink wrap in placeon the container.

Other and further objects, features, and advantages of the inventionwill be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a container (shownupside-down) comprising tapered sides, wherein the protuberancecomprises a ridge encircling the container that can also serve astacking purpose.

FIGS. 2A-2F show perspective views of representative embodiments ofcontainers, with different types of protuberances: (FIG. 2A) knob orspine; (FIG. 2B) discontinuous ridges in different planes; (FIG. 2C)discontinuous ridges in the same plane; (FIG. 2D) dual discontinuousridges, each in the same plane (FIG. 2E) continuous ridge in one plane;(FIG. 2F) zig-zag or wavy ridge.

FIGS. 3A-3D show cross section views of the tapered side of a prior artcontainer without a protuberance, showing shoulder that is insufficientto hold shrink wrap in place (FIG. 3A), as compared with cross sectionviews of embodiments of containers of the invention, showing aprotuberance in a container with a shoulder (FIG. 3B) and without ashoulder (FIG. 3C, FIG. 3D).

FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic views showing the range of protuberancefor a container having tapered sides (FIG. 4A) and for a containerhaving straight sides (FIG. 4B).

FIG. 5 is cross section view of showing the range of protuberance for aparticular embodiment, comprising a container having tapered sides.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Definitions

Ranges are used herein in shorthand to avoid having to list and describeeach and every value within the range. Any appropriate value within therange can be selected, where appropriate, as the upper value, lowervalue, or the terminus of the range.

As used herein, the singular form of a word includes the plural, andvice versa, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, thereferences “a”, “an”, and “the” are generally inclusive of the pluralsof the respective terms. Likewise the terms “include”, “including” and“or” should all be construed to be inclusive, unless such a constructionis clearly prohibited from the context. Similarly, the term “examples,”particularly when followed by a listing of terms, is merely exemplaryand illustrative and should not be deemed to be exclusive orcomprehensive.

The term “comprising” is intended to include embodiments encompassed bythe terms “consisting essentially of” and “consisting of”. Similarly,the term “consisting essentially of” is intended to include embodimentsencompassed by the term “consisting of”.

The articles of manufacture, methods and other advances disclosed hereinare not limited to particular equipment or processes described hereinbecause, as the skilled artisan will appreciate, they may vary. Further,the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only, and is not intended to, and does not, limit the scopeof that which is disclosed or claimed.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms, terms ofart, and acronyms used herein have the meanings commonly understood byone of ordinary skill in the art in the field(s) of the invention, or inthe field(s) where the term is used. Although any compositions, methods,articles of manufacture, or other means or materials similar orequivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice of thepresent invention, the preferred compositions, methods, articles ofmanufacture, or other means or materials are described herein.

All patents, patent applications, publications, technical and/orscholarly articles, and other references cited or referred to herein arein their entirety incorporated herein by reference to the extent allowedby law. The discussion of those references is intended merely tosummarize the assertions made therein. No admission is made that anysuch patents, patent applications, publications or references, or anyportion thereof, are relevant, material, or prior art. The right tochallenge the accuracy and pertinence of any assertion of such patents,patent applications, publications, and other references as relevant,material, or prior art is specifically reserved.

The Invention

In one aspect, the invention provides containers adapted for holding ashrink wrap in place without adhesive. The containers comprise a bottomand one or more side walls defining a top edge, wherein at least one ofthe bottom or side walls comprises at least one protuberance thatprojects sufficiently from the container to hold the shrink wrap inplace without adhesive.

Typical prior art containers require an adhesive to prevent slippage ofthe shrink wrap. The use of an adhesive necessitates an additional stepin the process for the manufacturing containers and can causecomplications in the process. The present invention features a containerthat is adapted to hold a shrink wrap in place without the use of foradhesives. This is accomplished by incorporating into the container oneor more protuberances that function to anchor shrink wrap in place.Though an adhesive can still be used on the novel container, it is notrequired to hold the shrink wrap in place.

Currently available plastic containers are typically manufactured by athermoforming process. The containers of the present inventionpreferably are manufactured by co-injection molding, compression moldingor injection blow molding which enables the formation of containers thatcomprise shrink wrap-anchoring protuberances, as described in greaterdetail herein. The co-injection molded, compression molded, or injectionblow molded thin-wall barrier containers preferred for use in thepresent invention are able to withstand standard retort processesequivalent to those tolerated by thermoformed containers.Advantageously, by comparison to thermoformed containers, thistechnology enables the production of containers capable of holdingshrink wraps in place without the use of adhesives.

The fabrication of containers by co-injection molding is understood inthe art. Briefly, as pertaining to its use in manufacturing containersof the present invention, an injection molding assembly is manufacturedin multiple parts according to the specifications of the containerincluding one or more protuberances positioned on the walls of thecontainer. A void that defines the container with the protuberance shapeand the position of the protuberance on the wall of the container isformed in the mold. In forming the container, the mold is in a closedposition and melted thermoplastic material is then pulsed into the moldto fill the voids in the mold. For multilayer laminate structures,multiple valves control pulses of materials that are injected into themold to create a layer of each material of the structure. After formingand cooling, the mold assembly is opened and the container is releasedfrom the mold.

Any material amenable to formation of a container with protuberances maybe used in connection with the present invention. In particularembodiments, the materials comprise plastics, polymers and othermaterials suitable for use in co-injection, compression molded, orinjection blow molded molding. In some embodiments, the materialscomprise barrier substances that substantially delay or prevent exposureto detrimental elements, such as light (including UV radiation), heatand/or oxygen.

The container of the invention can have any suitable shape, for example,multiple sides, such as in the form of a square, a rectangle, atriangle, an octagon and the like, a circular container, an ovalcontainer and having sides that are vertical to the bottom of thecontainer or tapered to the bottom of the container.

The container can comprise one or more protuberances dispersed upon thewalls of the container, on its sides or even on the bottom of thecontainer. For instance, the protuberances may be in the form of knobsor spines. Alternatively, the protuberances may be in the form of ridgesalong the sides of the container. The ridges may be in the same plane orin different planes along the sides of the container. In anotherembodiment, the protuberance can be in the form of a single continuousridge, or ring-like structure that encircles the sides of the container.

The protuberances may take on a wide range of sizes, as well as shapes,depending at least in part on the size and/or shape of the container.For example, for a straight-sided container, i.e., wherein the sidewalls are substantially perpendicular to the top edge and the bottom ofthe container, the one or more protuberances can extend from the sidewalls to a distance defined by an angle from the top of the containeralong the side wall between 10° and 45° outward from the side of thecontainer. Alternatively, for containers with tapered sides, i.e.,wherein the area defined by the top edge of the container is larger thanthe area of the bottom of the container and the side walls taper fromthe top edge to the bottom of the container at an angle Φ defined by theside wall and a line perpendicular to a horizontal plane upon which thecontainer is disposed, if Φ is ≦10°, then the one or more protuberancescan extend from the side walls to a distance of Φ to Φ+45° beyond theperpendicular line. Alternatively in such a tapered-side container, if Φis ≧10°, then the one or more protuberances can extend from the sidewalls to a distance of Φ−10° to Φ+45° beyond the perpendicular line.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of acontainer 10 that is of a substantially curved rectangular shape withtapered side walls 12 and has a protuberance 14 comprising a singleridge that encircles the side walls 12 of the container 10. In thisembodiment, container 10 comprises an optional lip 20 to hold a peelableand/or reclosable lid, such as a snap-on lid. In this embodiment, theprotuberance 14 serves to hold shrink wrap in place, and also canfacilitate stacking of multiple containers 10.

FIG. 2 shows embodiments of containers 10 comprising different shapesand types of protuberances 14. FIG. 2A shows a substantially cup-shapedcontainer 10 with tapered side wall 12 comprising protuberances 14 thatare knobs or spines. FIG. 2B shows a substantially cylindrical container10 with a straight side wall 12 and protuberances 14 that arediscontinuous ridges disposed in different planes of the side wall 12.FIG. 2C shows a substantially cylindrical container 10 with tapered sidewall 12 comprising protuberances 14 that are discontinuous ridges on thesame plane of the side wall 12. FIG. 2D shows a substantiallyrectangular container 10 comprising tapered side walls 12 comprisingprotuberances 14 which are two sets of parallel, discontinuous ridges.FIG. 2E shows an embodiment similar to that shown in FIG. 1 that is asubstantially rectangular container 10 with tapered, curved side walls12 and a protuberance 14 comprising a single ridge that encircles thecontainer side walls 12. FIG. 2F shows a substantially cup-shapedcontainer 10 with tapered side wall 12 and a protuberance 14 comprisinga zig-zag or wavy ridge. It will be understood by the skilled artisanthat the particular combinations of container shapes and protuberancesshown in FIG. 2 are for illustrative purposes only, and that thecontainer shapes and styles of protuberances can be combined in numerousdifferent ways.

FIG. 3 shows cross-sectional views of side wall 12 of the prior art(FIG. 3A) as compared with side walls 12 comprising different types ofprotuberances 14 (FIGS. 3B-3D). In FIGS. 3A and 3B, side wall 12comprises a shoulder 16. In FIG. 3A, illustrating the prior art, theside wall 12 contains no protuberance 14, and the shoulder 16 isinsufficient to hold a shrink wrap in place, thus necessitating the useof an adhesive. By comparison, in FIG. 3B, a protuberance 14 is presentat the shoulder of the side wall 12. In FIGS. 3C and 3D, the side wall12 contains no shoulder, but instead contains a protuberance 14. In theembodiments shown in FIG. 3, the side wall 12 of the container 10 isterminated at the open end with a lip 20 for attachment of a lid (notshown). The protuberance 14 shown in FIG. 3 is a continuous ridge suchas that shown in the container of FIG. 1. However, the type and locationof protuberance 14 can also be a knob, spine or discontinuous ridge, asillustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4A shows a schematic view of the protuberance 14 for a container 10having tapered side walls 12, and the minimum and maximum size 14 a-14 bof the protuberance projecting from the side of the container 10. Theprotuberance extension beyond the side walls 12 is defined by thelocation and position on the side wall 12 and an angle range on eitherside of a perpendicular line 22 from the top edge of the side wallperpendicular to a horizontal plane 24 parallel to the bottom of thecontainer 18. There is a taper angle (Φ) between the side wall 12 andthe perpendicular line 22. In the event when the taper angle (Φ) ≧10°,then the minimum and maximum protuberance extension 14 a-14 b beyond theside wall 12 is angle Φ−10° to angle Φ+45° beyond the perpendicular line22 and in the event angle Φ is ≦10° then the minimum and maximumprotuberance extension 14 a-14 b is angle Φ to angle Φ+45° beyond theperpendicular line 22. FIG. 4B shows a container 10 having straight sidewalls 12, i.e., perpendicular to the horizontal plane 24 that isparallel to the bottom 18 of the container 10. In this embodiment, sincethe sides do not taper, the taper angle Φ is 0°, and the minimum andmaximum protuberance extension 14 a-14 b is an angle 10° to +45° beyondthe side wall 12.

FIG. 5 shows a cross section of a particular embodiment of the inventionas partially illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3D, showing tapered side wall12, protuberance 14, and lip 20. The taper angle Φ of the side wall 12is greater than 10° and the preferred extension of the protuberance 14is angle Φ−10° to angle Φ+10° beyond the perpendicular line 22, which bydefinition is 90° to the horizontal plane 24 that is parallel to thebottom 18 the container 10, i.e., 80°-100° relative to the plane 24.More particularly, the protuberance 14 is angle Φ−5° to angle Φ+5°beyond the perpendicular line 22, i.e., 85°-95° relative to horizontalplane 24.

The novel container can be used in a container system for variousproducts such as foods, in particular pet foods. Thus, in anotheraspect, the invention provides a container system. The system comprisescomprising a container comprising a bottom and one or more side wallsdefining a top edge, wherein at least one of the bottom or side wallscomprises at least one protuberance that projects sufficiently from thecontainer to hold a shrink wrap in place without adhesive, as describedin detail above, and further comprises one or more lids, and a shrinkwrap positioned over at least a portion of the container. In oneembodiment, the shrink wrap is positioned over at least a portion of thecontainer and a portion of the lid. In various embodiments, thecontainer, the lid, and/or the shrink wrap can be made of transparent,translucent or opaque material, and can have printed or graphicinformation contained thereon.

Shrink wrap and methods of applying shrink wrap to containers and otherpackages are well known in the art. Any type of shrink wrap and methodof application is amenable to the container system of the presentinvention. By way of illustration, typical materials that can be usedfor the shrink wrap are as follows: thermo-softening polymers, such as,polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, amorphous polyethylene teraphthalate,nylon, ethylene vinyl alcohol and other shrink wrap materials known tothose skilled in the art. Typically, the shrink wrap material is appliedto the container heat is applied to cause shrinkage of the wrap aboutthe container. As mentioned above, such wraps can be transparent,translucent or opaque, and can contain printed or graphic informationthereon.

In various embodiments, the container system includes a lid, cap orother covering as well known in the art. Such lids, caps, coverings andthe like are referred to collectively herein as “lids.” Lids may includepeelable lids, such as a peelable foil or plastic affixed to thecontainer opening, e.g. to a lip or flange at the container opening,such as is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5. Alternatively, or inaddition to a peelable lid, the container system can include areplaceable lid, such as a snap-on or screw-on lid that can be used toreclose the container as needed.

In some embodiments, the container system is designed to contain a food,such as a pet food. In certain of these embodiments, the containersystem is made of materials suitable to withstand retort processing. Byway of illustration of container systems for pet foods, such systemstypically comprise a container that contains the food in a substantiallyairtight enclosure. A peelable lid, such as a plastic or foil seal, canbe adhered to the opening of the container, as described above, and asnap-on, replaceable lid covers the peelable foil or plastic. The shrinkwrap is applied such that it covers at least a portion of the containerand is held in place by the one or more protuberances constructed in thecontainer.

In another aspect, the invention provides products. The productscomprise (1) a container comprising bottom and one or more side wallsdefining a top edge, wherein at least one of the bottom or side wallscomprises at least one protuberance that projects sufficiently from thecontainer to hold the shrink wrap in place without adhesive and (2) amaterial contained within the container. The material is any materialthat is compatible with the container. In various embodiments, thematerial is a liquid or a solid material. In such embodiments, thematerial is a drink, detergent, cereal, grain, and the like. In apreferred embodiment, the material is a food composition. The foodcomposition can be for consumption by humans or other animals. Invarious embodiments, the food composition is a pet food composition.

In another aspect, the invention provides methods for making containersadapted for holding a shrink wrap in place without adhesive. The methodscomprise (1) providing containers comprising a bottom and one or moreside walls defining a top edge, wherein at least one of the bottom orside walls comprises at least one protuberance that projectssufficiently from the container to hold the shrink wrap in place withoutadhesive and (2) applying shrink wrap onto the containers. In variousembodiments, the methods further comprise inserting a material into thecontainer, particularly a material as described herein. In preferredembodiments, the containers are filled with the materials. In certainembodiments, the material is a food composition, preferably a pet foodcomposition. In various embodiments, the methods further comprisesealing the container after the materials have been inserted into thecontainer. The containers can be sealed by any suitable means, e.g., alid, by sealing the seams, and the like. In various embodiments, themethods further comprise retorting the sealed containers.

In another aspect, the invention provides a means for communicatinginformation about or instructions for one or more of (1) makingcontainers of the invention, (2) making container systems of theinvention, (3) using containers of the invention to avoid problemscaused by shrink wrap not remaining in place on containers, and (4)using container systems of the invention to avoid problems caused byshrink wrap not remaining in place on containers. The means comprises adocument, digital storage media, optical storage media, audiopresentation, or visual display containing the information orinstructions. In certain embodiments, the communication means is adisplayed web site, visual display, kiosk, brochure, product label,package insert, advertisement, handout, public announcement, audiotape,videotape, DVD, CD-ROM, computer readable chip, computer readable card,computer readable disk, computer memory, or combination thereofcontaining such information or instructions.

In another aspect, the invention provides multi-pack packages. Thepackages comprise a plurality of one or more containers, containersystems, or products of the present invention arranged in an array andone or more devices for retaining the containers, container systems, orproducts in the array. In some embodiments, the package has one or morehandles suitable for handling and transporting the package.

In various embodiments, the containers and the containers used in thecontainers systems are adapted to be stackable.

In the specification, there have been disclosed typical preferredembodiments of the invention and, although specific terms are employed,they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not forpurposes of limitation. Obviously many modifications and variations ofthe invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It istherefore to be understood that the invention may be practiced otherwisethan as specifically described, within the scope of the appended claims.

1. A container adapted for holding a shrink wrap in place withoutadhesive comprising a bottom and one or more side walls defining a topedge, wherein at least one of the bottom or side walls comprises atleast one protuberance that projects sufficiently from the container tohold the shrink wrap in place without adhesive.
 2. The container ofclaim 1 comprising one or more protuberances dispersed upon the sides ofthe container.
 3. The container of claim 1 comprising one or moreprotuberances dispersed upon the bottom of the container.
 4. Thecontainer of claim 1 wherein the protuberances are knobs or spines. 5.The container of claim 1 wherein the protuberances are ridges thatencircle the container on its side walls.
 6. The container of claim 5wherein the protuberances comprise discontinuous ridges.
 7. Thecontainer of claim 1 wherein the side walls are substantiallyperpendicular to the top edge and the bottom of the container, and theone or more protuberances extend from the side walls to a distancedefined by an angle from the top of the container along the side wallbetween 10° and 45° outward from the side of the container.
 8. Thecontainer of claim 1 wherein the area defined by the top edge of thecontainer is larger than the area of the bottom of the container and theside wails taper from the top edge to the bottom of the container at anangle Φ defined by the side wall and a line perpendicular to ahorizontal plane anon which the container is disposed, wherein Φ is≦10°, and the one or more protuberances extend from the side walls to adistance of Φ to Φ+45° beyond the perpendicular line.
 9. The containerof claim 1 wherein the area defined by the top edge of the container islarger than the area of the bottom of the container and the side wallstaper from the top edge to the bottom of the container at an angle Φdefined by the side wall and a line perpendicular to a horizontal planeupon which the container is disposed, wherein Φ is ≧10°, and the one ormore protuberances extend from the side walls to a distance of Φ−10° toΦ+45° beyond the perpendicular line.
 10. A container system comprising:a container comprising a bottom and one or more side walls defining atop edge, wherein at least one of the bottom or side walls comprises atleast one protuberance that projects sufficiently from the container tohold a shrink wrap in place without adhesive; one or more lids; and ashrink wrap positioned over at least a portion of the container.
 11. Thecontainer system of claim 10 wherein the container comprises one or moreprotuberances dispersed upon the bottom or sides of the container. 12.The container system of claim 10 wherein the container comprisesprotuberances in the form of one or more ridges that encircle thecontainer on its side walls.
 13. The container system of claim 10wherein the container comprises side walls that are substantiallyperpendicular to the top edge and the bottom of the container, and theone or more protuberances extend from the side walls to a distancedefined by an angle from the top of the container along the side wallbetween 10° and 45° outward from the side of the container.
 14. Thecontainer system of claim 10 wherein the container is a containerwherein the area defined by the top edge of the container is larger thanthe area of the bottom of the container and the side walls taper fromthe top edge to the bottom of the container at an angle Φ defined by theside wall and a line perpendicular to a horizontal plane upon which thecontainer is disposed, wherein Φ is ≦10°, and the one or moreprotuberances extend from the side walls to a distance of Φ to Φ+45°beyond the perpendicular line.
 15. The container system of claim 10wherein the container is a container wherein the area defined by the topedge of the container is larger than the area of the bottom of thecontainer and the side walls taper from the top edge to the bottom ofthe container at an angle Φ defined by the side wall and a lineperpendicular to a horizontal plane upon which the container isdisposed, wherein Φ is Φ≧10°, and the one or more protuberances extendfrom the side walls to a distance of Φ−10° to +45° beyond theperpendicular line.
 16. The container system of claim 10 wherein the lidis a peelable lid.
 17. The container system of claim 10 wherein the lidis replaceable lid.
 18. (canceled)
 19. (canceled)
 20. (canceled) 21.(canceled)
 22. A product comprising: a container adapted for holding ashrink wrap in place without adhesive, wherein the container comprises abottom and one or more side walls defining a top edge, wherein at leastone of the bottom or side walls comprises at least one protuberance thatprojects sufficiently from the container to hold the shrink wrap inplace without adhesive; and one or more materials contained within thecontainer.
 23. (canceled)
 24. (canceled)
 25. A method for making acontainer adapted for holding a shrink wrap in place without adhesivecomprising: providing a container comprising a bottom and one or moreside walls defining a top edge, wherein at least one of the bottom orside walls comprises at least one protuberance that projectssufficiently from the container to hold the shrink wrap in place withoutadhesive; and applying shrink wrap onto the container.
 26. The method ofclaim 25 further comprising inserting a material into the container. 27.(canceled)
 28. (canceled)
 29. The method of claim 26 further comprisingscaling the container after the material has been inserted into thecontainer.
 30. The method of claim 29 further comprising retorting thesealed container.
 31. (canceled)
 32. (canceled)
 33. (canceled) 34.(canceled)